Suntory has several wallpapers up for their jokki nama beer beverage but we’re focusing on two of ‘em.

The first one features Airi Taira whose parents are from Okinoerabujima.

The second features two model/actresses and the one we’re focusing on is the gal on the top, Myū “Mew” Azama, who was born in Hiroshima but raised in Okinawa.

You can grab both wallpapers here and also check out the CMs too.

(Via 壁紙fan!)

Namie Amuro looks as beautiful as ever and yeah, maybe it’s because she’s drinking Coca-Cola Zero (OK, maybe not ). Well, you can decide for yourself and while you’re doing that, why not have a wallpaper on your Mac/PC to help you along? Download it here.

(Via 壁紙fan!)

I think I missed blogging about this last month so here’s a February calendar desktop for you Aya Ueto fans out there. Yeah, the image of her is pretty small but you do get a lot more — 28 more to be exact — of Aya to enjoy.

Oronamin C wallpaper download page

(Via 壁紙fan!)

Upon hearing of okinawa-sanshin.net’s kunkunshi database my first thought was “cool, there’s finally a website that makes available kunkunshi for all to enjoy.” But, alas, the website is actually a database for existing kunkunshi books. Still, it’s a great way to search for a song to find out which kunkunshi book it’s in to save you time with your collection at home or if you’re out shopping for one.

All we can hope for in the near future is to see these book companies take the next step and go digital for say, Apple’s iPad.

Sanshin Kunkunshi Database (三線工工四データベース)

Makabe Chinaa had a lucky escape: you can still see bullet holes in some of the beams. Then in the immediate postwar period, the house served as a town office and a clinic before becoming what it is today — a much-loved tea shop and restaurant that serves up a large portion of history along with its signature sara soba to visitors heading to the nearby Okinawa Battle Site National Park.

Read the entire article by Kate Crockett at The Japan Times Online.

(Via @animeresearch.)

Rising star Meisa Kuroki (21) is all set to become a bigger name worldwide, with the help of a major commercial contract. She has just signed on as a spokesperson for cosmetics brand L’Oréal Paris, whose beauty products are popular in more than 150 countries.

Kuroki has been building her career in Japan since 2004, but she finally got her big international break last year when she starred in the joint Japanese-Chinese film “Subaru,” based on a manga about a ballet dancer. Her performance caught the eye of L’Oréal’s international general manager Vianney Derville, who praised Kuroki’s elegance, beauty, and natural talent.

L’Oréal will feature Kuroki in advertisements around the world, starting with Japan in early March for the release of the new hair care product Damage Care PRO EX. The company’s current roster of spokespersons includes top celebrities such as Penelope Cruz, Beyonce, and Eva Longoria.

(Via Tokyograph.)

This is so awesome! What an achievement for Meisa.

Wow. This is pretty awesome. A YouTube’r by the username of angelyarachinen uploaded seven videos from the 7th annual Shinjuku Eisa Matsuri.

(Nifee deebitan to Myron Akana for the link!)

RYCOME is a new J-pop unit from Okinawa who just released their debut single, “Koi,” on December 16, 2009. The duo of ma-mi (vocals) and Jacky (DJ, chorus) have created a very nice pop song in “Koi” that’s coupled on the single with “Tears of the moon.” The entire PV for “Koi” is up on YouTube.

(Via 沖縄LOVElog.)

Following our introduction of two virtual sanshin iPhone/iPod touch apps on the 20th and our review of the iSanshin app from Pawana LLC earlier today, we continue with Sanshin (三線) from Crimson Technology.

Crimson Technology’s Sanshin app is currently at version 1.1 and sells for U.S. $1.99. (iTunes Link) It’s nearest (or only at the moment) competitor is Pawana LLC’s iSanshin app which also happens to be at version 1.1 and is on sale for the same price of U.S. $1.99. But is it really a competition between the two apps or do both compliment each other? Read on to find out.

Upon launching Sanshin you’ll see its splash screen. Apparently, there are four divisions within Crimson Technology and Black Stream is in charge of the Sanshin app.

Compared to iSanshin’s user interface (UI) with its song mode on the main screen, Sanshin’s UI is really simple. You’re greeted with the sanshin’s sou (neck) and its notes which can be hidden by clicking on ‘工工四’ located between the ‘i’ (or info) and the image of the sanshin (which shows the instrument’s orientation) to the left of the iPhone’s screen. Sanshin app also differentiates itself by going with a real scan on the sanshin and its strings whereas iSanshin’s are CG.

Sanshin with kunkunshi

Sanshin from without kunkunshi

Next, let’s take a look at Sanshin’s settings (accessed by via the ‘i’ on the main screen).

Once again, as with the UI, Sanshin’s settings greatly differ from iSanshin’s settings: Sanshin’s is much simpler with everything located on a single screen (of course, the app itself is much simpler as a result when compared to iSanshin).

‘Effects’ is a nice touch and gives the sanshin an acoustic-electric sound which is kind of neat. As of version 1.1, you can add ‘Reverb’ and/or ‘Chorus’ to your sanshin sound as well as change each level to your personal preference.

For ‘Tuning and Scale,’ the numbers correspond to the 12 pitches on a chromatic scale with ‘4′ being the pitch of ‘C’ (like the Tombo Chromatic Pitch Pipe familiar to many sanshin players). Directly below the numbers are buttons for tuning the sanshin. ‘Basic’ is honchoushi, ‘2=Up’ is ni-agi (or 2nd string raised), ‘3=Down’ is san-sagi (or 3rd string lowered), and ‘1&2=Up’ is ichi-ni-agi (or 1st and 2nd string raised). The ‘Diatonic’ button keeps the sou on the main screen locked so you won’t accidentally hit a note outside of what’s given. On the other hand, the ‘Chromatic’ button let’s you play a note anywhere on the sou — important to hit the sharp shaku.

In the ‘Instrument’ section, you can change the ‘Tone’ of your sanshin from a fake-skin (jinku-gawa) sound ‘A’ to a real-skin (hon-gawa) sound ‘B.’ (Personally, I think this is an awesome addition to the app.) You’ll notice that the texture of the sanshin on the main screen changes depending on the tone you choose which is a nice touch. Finally, for left-handed players, there’s an option for you too.

Conclusion:
While there’s still room for improvement, at version 1.1 I believe this to be a pretty solid app and I recommend those already familiar with the instrument to download it. For beginners of the instrument, I would recommend iSanshin from Pawana LLC with its songs and karaoke mode. But at U.S. $1.99, it’s hard not to own both — especially for sanshin enthusiasts — as both offer a very different app experience.

You’ll find kunkunshi (sanshin scores) to “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,” “Asadoya Yunta,” and “Tinsagu nu Hana” at the Crimson Technology website.

Pros:

• Simple but offers effects and tone changes to customize your sanshin sound
• Improved sanshin sound with version 1.1

Cons:

• No indicator on the main screen of the tuning you’re currently in (e.g. 本調子, 三下げ, etc.)
• Sound of the sanshin can be improved to be more realistic

Part 1: Sanshin app demoed by Keiko Higa

Part 2: Sanshin app demoed by Keiko Higa

Video shown is of the pre 1.1 version of the app. The sound of the sanshin has since been improved to be more realistic. And kudos to Crimson Technology for having the beautiful and talented Keiko Higa demo their app.

Celebrating the release of her upcoming mini album, “Attitude” on January 1, 2010, Meisa Kuroki’s label (Sony Records) has two wallpapers up on their site (or as it’s fashionably called, site jack) for a limited time. Grab ‘em now and have Meisa’s “Attitude” on your desktop for the new year.

(Via 壁紙fan!)